PHOTO: Kansas Reservoir Dredging Underway

The Kansas Water Office officially started the John Redmond Reservoir dredging operations on May 17.

More than three million yards of sediment will be removed from the reservoir’s conservation pool to restore some of the lake’s water supply storage capacity.

Dredging will also allow aquatic habitats for the benefit of public recreation and the lake’s ecosystem.

The start of dredging is the culmination of four years of studying and planning the feasibility of sedimentation removal. The Kansas Water Office worked with the Tulsa District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to gain approval for the operation.

The dredging work is being conducted by Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company.

“The Kansas Water Office’s data indicated sedimentation would hinder our ability to meet the demand for water in the region,” said Col. Richard A. Pratt, commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District.

Dredging the conservation pool will restore water supply storage for the benefit of the regional water users and recover lost aquatic habitat for the benefit of public recreation and the lake’s ecosystem.

Dredging operations are expected to continue through December 2016.

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